Gopala Krishna Perumal, Vanathirajapuram, Nagapattinam

Moolavar: Gopala Krishna Perumal
Ambal / Thayar: Rukmini, Satyabhama
Location: Vanathirajapuram
District: Mayiladuthurai
Timings: – to – & – to –
Age: 1000-2000 years old
Teertham:
Vriksham:
Agamam: Vaikhanasa
Temple groups: , , ,
Parikaram:
Distances and maps:
Mayiladuthurai (5 km), Kumbakonam (34 km), Tiruvarur (44 km), Nagapattinam (58 km)
Directions from your current location (ensure GPS is turned on)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

This small temple is actually over a 1000 years old, from the Chola period.

The place gets its name from Vanathi, the daughter of Kodumbalur Velir, who finds mention in Kalki’s epic Ponniyin Selvan. More importantly, Vanathi was the first wife of Raja Raja Chola I.

The temple is single-shrined but has an Anjaneyar vigraham on the right of the mandapam. This Bala Anjaneyar is very famous in the region, and regarded as extremely powerful. Devotees throng to worship Him.

The moolavar vigraham is believed to have been found underground, and was excavated when the place was being dug up for some other purpose.

Other information for your visit

Unfortunately, the temple – like many others – suffers from a lack of visitors. Therefore, the aged priest here is able to perform daily puja only once a day.